Issues: Job Training or Trades

(Brooklyn, NY) – Last week, the State Senate passed Senate Bill S.1353, by Senator Kevin Parker. The bill requires that prisoners be informed of healthcare, mental healthcare and other services upon their release from state prison. In an attempt to make their reintegration into society as seamless as possible, and to safeguard our community’s public health and welfare, the former prisoners will be alerted to special programs in their communities, such as tuberculosis services, HIV/AIDS services, education, alcohol or substance abuse treatment, and other general mental health services.

Albany, NY – Today, the New York State Senate passed legislation (S.2158) sponsored by Senator David J. Valesky (D-Oneida) that strengthens the State Administrative Procedure Act (SAPA) to require consideration of potential adverse impacts on existing and future jobs and employment opportunities in the rulemaking process for state agencies.

ALBANY, NY—State Senator David J. Valesky (D-Oneida) today lauded the passage of the state’s fourth and historic consecutive on-time budget. This has not been accomplished with the same Governor and legislative leaders in more than 40 years.

ALBANY - Senator Young and her Senate colleagues unveiled the new “Young Farmers NY” program this week, which will help support and encourage the next generation of farmers.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our state’s economy, contributing more than $5.4 billion every year, and few work harder or face greater challenges than our dedicated farmers. We owe it to them and to the next generation of aspiring farmers and agricultural leaders to enact the Young Farmers NY program and support them in their enthusiastic desire to help strengthen the farms that power our state’s economy,” said Senator Young.

ALBANY, NY—State Senator David J. Valesky (D-Oneida) and Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi (D-Utica) stood today with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to promote legislation they sponsor (S5966/A8189) creating a new specialized educational path to train students to fill the growing number of jobs in New York in manufacturing and high-tech fields.

The legislation creates a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) diploma to provide an alternative pathway to a high school graduation that incorporates career-focused education classes and curriculum into school programs with the goal of producing more highly skilled workers for New York State's technical and manufacturing industries.

Senator Parker welcomes SUNY Empire State College President Dr. Merodie A. Hancock. Listen as they discuss the College's commitment to non-traditional students among online and face-to-face courses in 35 locations statewide.

ALBANY - Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I - Olean) has introduced legislation that will help New Yorkers with developmental disabilities to keep their current jobs while also creating important employment opportunities for future job seekers.

Recent federal and state announcements have revealed that sheltered workshops employing individuals with developmental disabilities, as they now exist, will close. Senator Young’s bill provides a means for these sheltered workshops to transition into qualified employment centers that can continue to employ people with developmental disabilities, while also providing tax incentives to encourage additional employment.

Senator Stewart-Cousins spoke at the Campaign For Summer Jobs Youth Action Day on Tuesday, January 28th in Albany, NY on the merits of the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), the importance of the program to city youths and the State, and how much it is an investment in our youths because it allows them opportunities to develop good leadership skills and work habits.

Senator Ted O'Brien sat down to discuss some top priorities he will be working on this session. These include implementing additional tax relief, working to pass his Unfunded Mandate Reform Act, striving to improve availability of job and skills training programs that help match unemployed people up with positions that are open now and fighting to tighten restrictions on how campaigns are financed and more effectively deal with those who flout the rules.

This essay by Senator O'Brien ran in the Democrat & Chronicle on January 11, 2014

As a new legislative session in Albany begins, I am preparing to address serious challenges to our region’s well-being.

During his State of the State address, the governor made it clear that upstate tax relief is his top priority. Mine, too. Eliminating corporate and energy taxes for upstate manufacturers and implementing the governor’s call for additional property tax relief are on the top of my agenda, as well.

On Friday, December 6, Senator Lee Zeldin (R, C, I—Shirley), along with Senators Phil Boyle, John Flanagan and Ken LaValle, hosted a successful Career Fair for over 450 area job seekers. The event, held at St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue, brought in 50 employers who were on hand to meet with applicants and recruit new employees.

PENFIELD, N.Y. -- Senator Ted O'Brien recently toured ThermoFisher's Penfield production facility, learning about how the manufacturer of equipment and supplies for scientific and research labs uses advanced technology and cost-saving strategies suggested by employees at every level of the organization to prosper.